Afghanistan

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many of the schools in Afghanistan that were re-opened following the deployment of UK armed forces in the country have since been temporarily or permanently closed.

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he has made an estimate of the number of schools that have closed in Afghanistan due to violence since January.

Hilary Benn: Since UK forces deployed to Afghanistan as part of the NATO led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), school attendance in Afghanistan (including for girls) has risen significantly. According to UNICEF, the number of children in school increased from 1.2 million in March 2002, to5.1 million in December 2005.
	The recent school closures due to security related incidents are worrying. The latest information we have from the Afghanistan Ministry of Education records:
	between April to July 2006 a total of 208 schools in Zabul, Helmand, Kandahar, Ghazni, Khost and Paktika provinces had to close due to direct threats to the safety of children, teachers and school property, denying access to education for nearly 125,000 children;
	a total of 144 schools have been destroyed in arson attacks between July 2005 and July 2006 disrupting the education of nearly 100,000 children.
	We have had no further data from the Ministry of Education updating these figures.

Afghanistan

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what resources his Department has committed to post-conflict reconstruction in Afghanistan.

Hilary Benn: Over the last five years DFID has spent over £390 million on reconstruction and development in Afghanistan. At the London Conference inJanuary 2006, the UK signed a 10-year development partnership agreement with the Government of Afghanistan. This agreement commits DFID to provide £330 million for reconstruction and development over the subsequent three years. This forms part of the UK's overall pledge at the London Conference of £500 million over three years. DFID's budget for Afghanistan is £102 million in 2006-07. This will rise to £113 million in 2007-08, and £115 millionin 2008-09.
	In addition, DFID contributes 18 per cent. of the European Commission's pledge of €1 billion over 2002-07. And over 10 per cent. of the World Bank's spending in Afghanistan of $250-300 million a year. We also contribute financially to UN programmes and to the Asian Development Bank.

People Trafficking

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what projects his Department is funding to combat human trafficking.

Hilary Benn: The aim of all DFID's work is to eliminate the poverty and social injustice that make people vulnerable to trafficking. The main channel for funding projects which specifically combat human trafficking is the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Since 1999, DFID has committed almost£9 million to support their programme in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region. A further £3 million has been allocated to their programme in China. DFID provides core funding to ILO's Special Action Programmeto combat forced labour (including trafficking);£1.9 million is allocated for 2006-09.
	DFID also funds the work of non-governmental organisations. Over £1.6 million has been provided to Save the Children's programme in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region.

Fire Service College

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Communities and Local Government what the turnover was of foreign business for the last five years at the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh; and what the projection is for the 2007-08 financial year.

Angela Smith: The volume of work undertaken by the College for overseas customers for the last five years and forecast for the current year, expressed in terms of income earned is given in the following table. Business planning for the next financial year is currently under way and projections of income from overseas customers have not yet been made.
	
		
			  Financial year  £000 
			  Actual  
			 2001-02 1,115 
			 2002-03 1,188 
			 2003-04 1,593 
			 2004-05 1,637 
			 2005-06 2,209 
			   
			  Forecast  
			 2006-07 2,800

Fire Service College

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many firefighters have been trained at the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh in each of the last five years, broken down by rank; and what the predicted figures are for the 2007-08 financial year.

Angela Smith: The numbers of firefighters—both UK Fire and Rescue Service and others—trained at the Fire Service College in each of the last five years are in the table. The breakdown by rank is unavailable because records are not kept in that form. Business planning for 2007-08 is currently under way so student numbers cannot yet be forecast.
	
		
			  Financial year  Firefighters trained at the Fire Service College 
			 2006-07 (1)8,627 
			 2005-06 7,844 
			 2004-05 7,394 
			 2003-04 6,542 
			 2002-03 5,342 
			 2001-02 5,882 
			 (1) Projected figure as at November 2006

Fire Service College

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps she is taking to ensure that the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh trades profitably in the 2007-08 financial year.

Angela Smith: As a trading fund the Fire Service College's financial target is to manage its funded operations so that the revenue of the fund consists principally of receipts in respect of goods and services provided in the course of funded operations; is not less than sufficient, taking one year with another, to meet outgoings which are properly chargeable to revenue account; and to achieve a return, averaged over the period 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2009, of a minimum of 4 per cent. as a percentage of average capital employed.
	The college continues to work towards an operational and financial model which will enable itto meet this target on a sustained basis. On-going investment in the marketing and relationship management teams is expected to yield significant growth in the college's trading income for 2007-08. At the same time, the college continues to operate and improve cost controls, with targeted expenditure reductions in terms of both staff and non-staff expenditure through 2006-07 and 2007-08.

Credit Unions

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to promote credit unions in the East of England; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Balls: The Government are supporting credit unions and other third sector, not-for-profit,lenders across England, Wales and Scotland through a £36 million Growth Fund. Ipswich and Suffolk credit union, Essex Savers credit union and Liberty credit union in Romford are among around 80 third sector lenders being supported to expand their lending service through this funding. In addition, on the advice of the Financial Inclusion Taskforce, the Government are launching a campaign to promote demand for financial products and services including sources of affordable credit, such as credit union loans. The Department for Work and Pensions is managing the campaign delivery unit, in partnership with secondees from stakeholder organisations. Nine stakeholder managers have so far been appointed, including one for the East of England region.

Mortality Rates

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the mortality rate was of  (a) men and  (b) women in Worsley in each year since 1991.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 21 November 2006:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the mortality rate was of (a) men and (b) women in Worsley in each year since 1991. I am replying in her absence. (101182)
	Mortality rates for parliamentary constituencies which do not share boundaries exactly with a local authority are only available from 2001 onwards. The table below provides the age-standardised mortality rate for (a) men and (b) women in Worsley parliamentary constituency for the years 2001 to 2004 (the latest available).
	The ward population estimates on which these mortality rates are based are experimental statistics - that is, statistics which are in a testing or consultation phase and are not fully developed - and the figures should therefore be treated with caution.
	
		
			  Age-standardised mortality rates( 1) , Worsley parliamentary constituency, 2001-04( 2,3) 
			  Deaths per 100,000 
			  Year  Males  Females 
			 2001 951.8 590.1 
			 2002 857.3 573.3 
			 2003 873.5 620.3 
			 2004 751.8 562.8 
			 (1) Age-standardised mortality rates per 100,000 population, standardised to the European Standard Population. Age-standardised rates are used to allow comparison between populations which may contain different proportions of people of different ages. (2) Using local authority ward boundaries as of 2005 for deaths for all years shown. (3) The ward population estimates used to calculate the ward mortality rates are experimental statistics, and are consistent with the published local authority mid-year estimates for the relevant year.

Inter-country Adoption

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average length of time to complete an inter-country adoption for a child coming to the UK was in  (a) 2005 and  (b) January toJune 2006.

Beverley Hughes: There is no centrally held information on the average length of time it takes to complete an inter-country adoption from the initial approach of the prospective adopters to their adoption agency until the legal recognition of the adoption in the UK.

Students (Drop-out Rates)

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of students dropped out of  (a) apprenticeships,  (b) advanced apprenticeships,  (c) other NVQ learning,  (d) entry to employment,  (e) train-to-gain,  (f) foundation degrees and  (g) workstep programmes in each year since 1997.

Phil Hope: Figures relating to drop-out or retention have only been published with respect to NVQ learning in the further education (FE) sector and are reproduced in the following table:
	
		
			   NVQ aims (starts in 000s)  Retention rate (percentage) 
			   Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Level 4/5  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Level 4/5 
			 1997/98 — — — — — — — — 
			 1998/99 — — — — — — — — 
			 1999/2000 60 187 76 15 63 60 64 66 
			 2000/01 49 179 75 — 62 59 63 — 
			 2001/02 37 153 67 — 67 61 64 — 
			 2002/03 42 158 72 — 71 61 65 — 
			 2003/04 40 149 71 — 74 67 66 — 
			 2004/05 43 155 72 — 76 70 69 — 
			  Note: The number of starts (relating to the cohort of people expected to complete in each year) is shown to give an indication of the relative weightings between cohorts; it does not show the complete number of starts for that year. 
		
	
	Drop-out rates for foundation degree students have not previously been calculated. However, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) will be publishing a document on foundation degrees later this year which will include drop-out rates as well as other statistics.
	Figures for Train-to-Gain are not yet available given the recent nation roll-out of the programme in August 2006. Figures are not available for the Workstep programme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions through Jobcentre Plus.

Public Transport

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to persuade motorists to use public transport as an alternative to driving.

Stephen Ladyman: The Government are encouraging motorists to use public transport by investing inand supporting better services, providing better information on sustainable travel choices, and thus helping to make public transport a realistic and attractive alternative for many journeys. More passengers are choosing to travel by rail year-on-year, and we will shortly be setting out proposals for further improving bus services.

Illegal Driving

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of drivers driving without  (a) tax,  (b) insurance and  (c) a driving licence.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is as follows:
	 (a) The estimate for Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) evasion derives from the results of the Department's national roadside survey in 2005, which implies a 4.7 per cent. VED evasion rate in stock. This, in turn, would equate to a national figure of1.5 million vehicles.
	 (b) Our latest estimate (2005) for uninsured driving is based on a comparison of the vehicle register, maintained by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and the Motor Insurance Database. It is that there are about 2.1 million vehicles (about 6.5 per cent. of the UK vehicle fleet) being driven by uninsured drivers.
	 (c) In March of this year the police conducted a national check on compliance with driver and vehicle requirements. This involved the random stopping of nearly 6,000 vehicles (cars, light goods vehicles and motorcycles). The figure for non-compliance with driver licensing requirements was 1.6 per cent. At a national level this could equate to something in the region of one million people driving without a valid licence.

Driving Instructors

Brian Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans the Government has to take action in respect of approved driving instructorswho have failed to pass the hazard perception test by 31st December but who continue to teach.

Stephen Ladyman: Instructors who have not passed the test will be notified that they have 28 days to make representations to the registrar.
	Should the registrar decide they should be removed from the register, they will have 28 days to appeal to the Transport Tribunal.
	Instructors can continue to instruct up to the date of the publication of the tribunal decision. However, should any instructors whose appeal is rejected by the tribunal continue to instruct, the Driving Standards Agency will make investigations with a view to prosecution for illegal instruction.

Railway Services

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with First Great Western on the time tabling of services on the Cheltenham-Swindon-Paddington line.

Tom Harris: I have had no discussions withFirst Great Western on the timetabling of services on the Cheltenham-Swindon-Paddington line. Detailed timetabling of services is a matter is for the First Great Western.

Wildlife Crime

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what training has been provided to magistrates in dealing with cases of wildlife crime.

Bridget Prentice: The training of magistrates is organised and delivered locally. Information on the provision of wildlife crime training to magistrates is not currently held centrally. Legal advisors provide magistrates with advice on any relevant case law in relation to wildlife crime and appropriate sentencing.

Carter Review

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Minister ofState, Department for Constitutional Affairs what representations she has received from family lawyers concerning the Carter review.

Vera Baird: We have received 1,045 responses to the proposals regarding family work in the consultation paper "Legal Aid: a sustainable future". I have attended some 25 public meetings on the proposals throughout the country to hear practitioners' views. The Government's response should be published within the next couple of weeks.

Carter Review

Tony Baldry: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what representations she has received from family lawyers on the Carter review.

Vera Baird: We have received 1,045 responses to the proposals regarding Family work in the consultation paper "Legal Aid: a sustainable future." I have attended some 25 public meetings on the proposals throughout the country to hear practitioners' views. The Government's response should be published within the next couple of weeks.

Mesothelioma

Mary Creagh: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps she has taken to ensure that people with mesothelioma are able to claim compensation through the courts.

Bridget Prentice: The Government have legislated in the Compensation Act 2006 to help claimants suffering from mesothelioma to obtain the compensation to which they are entitled as quickly as possible. Where a person has been negligently exposed to asbestos and has contracted mesothelioma, they are now able to recover full compensation from any responsible person. In addition, a fast track process exists for mesothelioma claims in certain courts.

Electoral Administration

Clive Betts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what performance standards have been set by the Electoral Commission for electoral administration under the Political Parties, Election and Referendum Act 2000.

Bridget Prentice: The Act empowers the Electoral Commission to determine and publish performance standards. Where they do so, they are required to send the Secretary of State a copy of the published standards. No such published standards have been received to date but we are aware that the Electoral Commission are working on this issue.

Electoral Administration

Diana Johnson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many eligible voters are estimated to be missing from the electoral register in Kingston upon Hull.

Bridget Prentice: A comparison between the electoral register in Kingston-upon-Hull and the local authority's mid-year population estimate for 2005 indicates approximately 10,400 adults who are resident but not on the electoral roll. However, not all of these residents will necessarily be eligible to vote as they may not meet the eligibility criteria, for instance they may not hold a qualifying nationality.

Magistrates

Ben Chapman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make an assessment of the merits of raising the retirement age for magistrates.

Harriet Harman: The magistrates retirement age is setat 70 under the Courts Act 2003. It is our policy to increase judicial diversity and it is particularly important that magistrates, whose great strength is that they are local people delivering local justice, reflect the diverse communities they serve. Nationally, 80 per cent. of magistrates are over 50. We need to recruit substantially more magistrates under the age of 50, and allowing magistrates to sit beyond 70 would work against this important objective.

Coroner Reform Bill

Brian Iddon: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps she has taken to consult relatives on the draft Coroner Reform Bill.

Harriet Harman: As part of our public consultation on the draft Coroners' Bill, on 9 November I met in Parliament with a group of lay people with recent experience of the coroners' system. In considering specific aspects of the draft legislation, they were able to offer moving and valuable insights, which will improve the draft Bill, and which will ensure that the reform programme focuses even more acutely onthe needs of the bereaved. I will publish a report of the event, which Members received an invitation to observe, shortly.

Supreme Court

Andrew MacKay: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what progress has been made with the preparation and construction of the proposed courthouse for the Supreme Court.

Harriet Harman: As announced in the written ministerial statement of 17 October 2006,  Official Report, columns 45-46WS, by my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, East (Bridget Prentice), the Supreme Court Implementation Programme is on target to deliver the Supreme Court at Middlesex Guildhall in time for the start of the legal year in October 2009.
	On 7 September 2006 Westminster City Council (WCC) resolved to grant planning and listed building consent. We are currently working with English Heritage and WCC on final legal agreements. We have appointed Kier Group plc as our preferred bidder and we are in commercial discussions with them prior to agreeing the final contract. We expect to reach financial close with Kier Group early next year at which time I shall give another update to the House.

Legal Aid

Vincent Cable: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what account she has taken of the needs of  (a) those whose first language is not English and  (b) those with mental or physical disabilities when implementing a system of fixed solicitors' fees as proposed in Lord Carter's report, "Legal Aid—A market based approach to reform".

Vera Baird: At the time of publication of Lord Carter's report, DCA and LSC simultaneously launched a full consultation on his proposals, which concluded on 12 October. This included the publication of a draft regulatory impact assessment, including a racial impact assessment, which can be found on the DCA website. An updated version of this document will shortly be published alongside the Government's response to the consultation on Lord Carter's proposals.
	The Government are committed to ensuring access to justice irrespective of a client's race or any disability. Lord Carter's proposals place quality at the heart of reform and we believe that this is the right course. We will work to ensure that any reforms implemented will not effect the quality of service to clients, including those who do not use English as a first language and those with physical or mental disabilities.
	We believe that modernisation of the Legal Aid System is essential and that Lord Carter has provided a blueprint for how this could be effectively conducted. However, the Government are now considering the views expressed throughout the consultation period and we are looking at all the options available before publishing our response. An announcement on the way forward will be made shortly.

Legal Aid

Vincent Cable: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what representations she has received regarding the system of fixed solicitors' fees proposed in Lord Carter's report, "Legal Aid—A market based approach to reform"; and if she will make a statement.

Vera Baird: At the time of publication of Lord Carter's report, DCA and LSC simultaneously launched a full consultation on his proposals, which concluded on 12 October. As well as this, I attendeda number of meetings with practitioners and stakeholders over the summer recess to listen personally to the views of those directly affected by the proposed reforms. The LSC also conducted a number of roadshows throughout the consultation period to gather further views. This dialogue has included a number of representations regarding the introduction of fixed fees for solicitors as proposed by Lord Carter in his final report.
	We believe that modernisation of the Legal Aid System is essential and that Lord Carter has provided a blueprint for how this could be effectively conducted. When conducting his review he examined the options that were available for reform and his final proposals reflect what he believed to be the best solution. The Government are now considering the views expressed throughout the consultation period and we are looking at all the options available before making our final policy decision. An announcement on the way forward will be made shortly.

Legal Aid

Vincent Cable: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of alternative proposals for solicitors' fees following the proposal of a fixed solicitor's fee in Lord Carter's report, "Legal Aid—A market based approach to reform"; and if she will make a statement.

Vera Baird: At the time of publication of Lord Carter's report, DCA and LSC simultaneously launched a full consultation on his proposals, which concluded on 12 October. In addition, I attended a number of meetings with practitioners and stakeholders over the summer recess to listen personally to the views of those directly affected by the proposed reforms. The LSC also conducted a number of roadshows throughout the consultation period to gather further views to those received in written consultation responses.
	We believe that modernisation of the Legal Aid System is essential and that Lord Carter has provided a blueprint for how this could be effectively conducted. However, the Government are now considering the views expressed throughout the consultation period and we are looking at all the options available before making our final policy decision. An announcement on the way forward will be made shortly.

Legal Aid

David Burrowes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will break down by main budget heading the estimated annual savings of £35 million following the introduction of the means test in criminal legal aid magistrates' court work; and whether the new system is on target to meet the estimated level of savings.

Vera Baird: The new means test is projected to deliver £55 million gross savings based on the estimated reduction in applicants who qualify for criminal legal aid representation. The net savings of £35 million reflect the impact of the Early Cover Scheme, additional claims from Central Funds and administration costs. While it is too early to draw firm conclusions, the Government's initial assessment is that it is on course to deliver the projected savings.

Legal Aid

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what changes are planned to family legal aid following the Carter review; and if she will make a statement.

Vera Baird: The DCA/Legal Services Commission consultation paper, "Legal Aid: a sustainable future", set out our proposals for the introduction of graduated fee schemes for solicitors undertaking family legal aid. Consultation closed on 12 October. The Government's response should be published within the next coupleof weeks.

Farepak

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Companies Investigation Branch has been able to establish the number of affected customers of Farepak in  (a) the Wirral,  (b) Merseyside and  (c) the North West.

Ian McCartney: The investigation power under which the investigation is being conducted, section 447 of the Companies Act 1985, does not permit the disclosure of information obtained except as provided in the Companies Act (mainly to prosecuting bodies and regulators). The information obtained can also be used to bring proceedings under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.
	The administrators may have information aboutthe number of affected customers in the regions referred to.

Farepak

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers the Companies Investigation Branch has to recover moneys paid to Farepak by savers.

Ian McCartney: Companies Investigation Branch has no such powers.
	Directors do not enjoy complete immunity from personal liability. Where a company goes into liquidation, rather than administration, and there is evidence of wrongful or fraudulent trading, the liquidator can ask the court to declare that those responsible should make a personal contribution towards the assets of the company.

Farepak

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what investigations he has made into the failure of Farepak and the operation of the parent company.

Ian McCartney: As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, has announced, Companies Investigation Branch is conducting an investigation into Farepak under section 447 of the Companies Act 1985. The investigation is still in progress.

Gender Equality

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to carry out gender impact assessments of her Department's major policy developments and new legislation.

David Lammy: From April 2007, my Department will carry out gender impact assessments of major policy developments and new legislation in line with theSex Discrimination Act 1975 (Public Authorities) (Statutory Duties) Order 2006 (No. 2930). We shall refer to the Equal Opportunities Commission's (EOC) Code of Practice on the Gender Equality Duty and their specific guidance when available.

Gender Equality

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to ensure that  (a) her Department and  (b) the non-departmental public bodies and Executive agencies for which she is responsible are taking steps to meet the requirements of the forthcoming duty on public bodies (i) to end unlawful discrimination and harassment and (ii) to promote equality between women and men.

David Lammy: In order to meet the general gender equality duty which will require public authorities to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination and harassment and promote equality of opportunity between women and men, my Department will be taking the steps outlined in the Sex DiscriminationAct 1975 (Public Authorities)(Statutory Duties) Order 2006 (No. 2930) which should come into force on6 April 2007.

Library Services (Visually Impaired People)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with local authority library services on the migration of provision for the blind and partially sighted from a tape-based system to cd-rom or a use of computers for the delivery of talking book services.

David Lammy: Responsibility for service provision policy for public libraries rests at a local level, where local management are in the best position to judge the particular needs of the communities they serve.
	This includes decisions on provision for visually impaired library users. Each local authority works to reflect the needs of their community based on an informed understanding of local requirements. This often means providing content in a variety of media to reflect the differing needs of visually impaired people in their area.

Olympic Stadium

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whom the Minister of Sport met on legacy use of the Olympic Stadium; when each meeting took place; if the potential value of the stadium was discussed; if  (a) the Olympic Board,  (b) the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and  (c) the Olympic Delivery Authority were informed of these discussions by her Department before they took place; if the results were reportedto these bodies; and what account was taken in discussions of the commitment to convert the stadium into an athletics facility.

Tessa Jowell: My right hon. Friend the Ministerfor Sport discussed the legacy use of the Olympic stadium with representatives from West Ham United on 8 March 2006 and 3 July 2006, with representatives from Tottenham Hotspur on 7 March 2006 and5 June 2006 and with representatives from Charlton Athletic on 23 March 2006. These discussionscovered the Olympic stakeholders' commitment to the International Olympic Committee of a legacy with athletics at its core, as well as the potential value of the stadium.
	Throughout this period, the Minister held a number of meetings with officials from the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, the Olympic Delivery Authority and the Greater London Authority, at which the Olympic stadium was discussed, including the discussions with football clubs. The Ministerwas also present at the Olympic board meeting on25 July 2006 when the legacy use of the Olympic stadium was considered.

Swimming Teachers Association

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to secure a resolution of the dispute involving the Swimming Teachers Association; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The Swimming Teachers' Association (STA) have written to me about their dispute with the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA). I replied on9 August and 20 September, clarifying the position on the UK Coaching Certificate and encouraging them to meet the ASA to discuss their concerns with the ASA's licensing scheme.

Tennis

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the Lawn Tennis Association on the potential impact of the proposed sale of Queen's Club on the development of British tennis talent over the next10 years.

Richard Caborn: Neither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State nor I have had any recent discussions with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) on the potential impact of the proposed sale of Queen's Club on the development of British tennis talent over the next 10 years.
	However, I understand the entire proceeds from the sale, around £45 million, will be reinvested into the sport with the vast majority into community tennis as set out in the LTA's Whole Sport Plan. This includes the new National Tennis Centre in Roehampton which will aim to develop the sport throughout the country at all levels; from the grass roots of the game to success on the international stage.

Anti-terrorism Legislation

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those released after being detained without charges under the most recent anti-terrorist legislation were later charged with terrorist offences.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 20 November 2006
	The police do not routinely collate this information and to answer the question could be done only at disproportionate costs.

Correspondence

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of6 October from the hon. Member for the Forest of Dean regarding Ms Tina Marfell.

Liam Byrne: I wrote to the hon. Member on7 November 2006.

Free Passports

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pensioners have taken up their entitlement to free passports, broken down by  (a) county and  (b) constituency, grouped according to region.

Joan Ryan: The Identity and Passport Service does not ask passport holders to keep their address up to date on our database. Therefore, the Identity and Passport Service cannot identify the number of current residents by geographical area that have taken advantage of the scheme to issue free passports to those applicants born on or before 2 September 1929.
	However for residents of the United Kingdom, 376,668 people born on or before 2 September 1929 have had their entitlement to free passports fulfilledby the Identity and Passports Service up until30 September 2006.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will respond to the letter of15 August from the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green regarding Mr Rachid Sahraoui (Home Office reference LR1420012703/1).

Liam Byrne: holding answer 20 November 2006
	The Director General of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate replied to the hon. Member's letter on16 November 2006.

Reciprocal Extradition Arrangements

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the US administration's approach to reciprocal extradition arrangements.

Joan Ryan: There have been no recent discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Peter Hain) on this issue. However, in March 2006 the previous Home Secretary (Charles Clarke) briefed the Northern Ireland Secretary on this issue prior to his visit to the United States.

China-made Uniforms

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of uniforms issued toservice personnel in the  (a) Army,  (b) Royal Navy and  (c) Royal Air Force were made in China.

Derek Twigg: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Sierra Leone

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British troops are stationed in Sierra Leone.

Adam Ingram: The numbers of personnel posted to each location abroad are shown in Tri Service Publication 6, Global Location of UK Regular Forces (TSP 6). Copies of TSP 6 are available in the Libraryof the House of Commons and are also at www.dasa.mod.uk

African Union (Peacekeeping Forces)

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will  (a) make representations and  (b) provide assistance to the African Union (AU) to ensure that per diem payments similar to those paid to Union Nations Peacekeeping forces are made to countries supplying AU peacekeeping forces.

Ian McCartney: The African Union provides its peacekeeping forces with a Mission Subsistence Allowance (MSA), similar to the "per diems" paid by the United Nations. These are paid directly to the troops concerned rather than to troop contributing countries.
	However, the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) has been experiencing financial difficulties for some time which are impacting on its ability to meet some of its running costs, including MSA payments. These are due to a combination of problems with AMIS' financial management which have led to stalled funding from the European Commission; and promises of funds from the Arab League and others, that have not yet been honoured. We have regularly called on donors to fulfil their pledges.
	We are also providing AMIS with £13.5 million in direct funding to help it meet its current running costs. This will include payment of salaries and MSA for the AMIS peacekeeping force, as well as measures to ensure the effective financial management of these payments.

Arms Exports

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what post-sale monitoring of UK international defence sales is undertaken by the Government; how many staff are employed in this monitoring; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: The Government believe strongly that the best approach to ensuring strategic exports are not diverted or misused, is by case by case assessment, against the Consolidated EU and National Export Licensing Criteria, of any proposed export at the time of application, i.e. before the export goes ahead. If, after careful assessment at the licensing stage, it is assessed there is a risk that the equipment will be diverted from its stated end use a licence will not be issued.
	The possibility of diversion of exported goods to an undesirable end use is part of the strict risk assessment undertaken by dedicated personnel in four Government Departments (the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Defence, the Department for International Development) involved in the export licensing process at the time of application. This takes into account relevant information the Government may hold, including from the Government's overseas posts who monitor local developments closely and note any information that comes to light that equipment supplied by the UK has been used in a manner inconsistent with the consolidated criteria. Should information come to light that goods have been diverted, the Government will take this into consideration when assessing any future applications. The Government may also revoke the relevant licence(s) and ask the authorities in the country concerned to investigate.

Arms Exports

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will list the discussions she has had with her Cabinet colleagues about UK exports of military equipment and parts to  (a) Burma,  (b) China,  (c) North Korea,  (d) Iran, (e) Russia,  (f) Saudi Arabia and  (g) Zimbabwe; and what concerns were raised about human rights in those countries during each discussion.

Kim Howells: Regular contacts between Cabinet colleagues take place on UK exports of military equipment and parts and will include when necessary arms sales to destinations which may be a cause for concern, including any concerns on the human rights situations in those countries.
	All export licences are assessed on a case by case basis against the EU and national consolidated export licensing criteria. This includes in criterion 2 the 'respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country of final destination'. If an export is considered inconsistent with the criteria, a licence will not be issued. Given the thorough and strict pre-licensing assessments, we are confident that our exports do not have adverse effects on the human rights situations in the countries of final destination.

Bosnia

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether personnel from her Department have  (a) been posted to and  (b) visited Eagle Base in Tuzla, Bosnia since September 2001.

Geoff Hoon: No officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have been posted to the Eagle Base in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina since September 2001. The Eagle Base is the main landing strip in Eastern Bosnia and is used by both civilian and military aircraft. In this context, officials and Ministers have used it as a landing point for visits to Eastern Bosnia, including to Srebrenica commemorations and the International Commission for Missing Persons facility based in Tuzla.

Cluster Munitions

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why no reference to the use of cluster munitions in the Lebanon-Israel conflict was included in her Department's Human Rights Annual Report 2006; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The 2006 Annual Report on Human Rights covers the period from July 2005 to late August 2006. At the time of writing, many of the details surrounding the Israel/Lebanon conflict were still unclear. A decision was made not to cover the conflict as a whole. However, we were able to insert a section about the UK's efforts to bring about a ceasefire and our plans to help with reconstruction. Additionally, two paragraphs were added to the section on Syria remarking on their unhelpful role in supporting Hezbollah. We had concerns about Israeli actions during the conflict, which we made public at the time. And there is a large section in the human rights report covering our other concerns about Israel. We intend to cover the Israel/Hezbollah conflict in greater detail in our next report.

Cluster Munitions

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment her Department's human rights monitors have made of the use of cluster munitions in the Lebanon-Israel conflict.

Ian McCartney: Cluster munitions are legitimate weapons when used in accordance with international humanitarian law. We have called on Israel to make a public statement about their use of cluster munitions and have discussed the issue with the government of Israel, the government of Lebanon and human rights organisations.

Human Trafficking

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the level of human trafficking from sub-Saharan Africa; and what her policy is on facilitating the reduction thereof.

Ian McCartney: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) monitors global levels of human trafficking to the UK. We assess that trafficking victims, predominantly women, come from a range of African countries, although it is difficult to give any firm figures on the numbers involved, given the clandestine nature of trafficking.
	The FCO's policy for reducing the scale of trafficking to the UK focuses on preventative work in source and transit countries. This includes awareness-raising among potential victims and the authorities in these countries; providing training and capacity building support to law enforcement agencies; and providing advice on effective legislation to prosecute trafficking gang members.

Human Trafficking

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what projects her Department is funding to combat human trafficking.

Ian McCartney: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is currently funding the following anti-human trafficking projects:
	Albania: a non-governmental organisation (NGO) managed campaign to raise awareness among potential victims of the dangers of human trafficking;
	Russia: a project to promote NGO and police co-operation to tackle human trafficking; and
	Latvia: an NGO-managed anti-trafficking awareness raising project.
	The total value of the projects in the financial year 2006-07 is £403,000.
	In the last financial year the FCO also funded a programme in Lithuania which provided re-integration assistance and social support for trafficking victims returning from enforced prostitution in the UK. The FCO also contributed to the Association of Chief Police Officer's "Operation Pentameter" through the production of multi-lingual awareness-raising material that was used in several east European source and transit countries.

Libya

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on  (a) bilateral relations with Libya and  (b) relations between Libya and the EU;
	(2)  if she will make a statement on the progress of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership to establish a bilateral agreement with Libya.

Kim Howells: Bilateral relations between the UK and Libya continue to strengthen. We are engaging with Libya across a broad range of areas, including health, education and training, migration, trade and investment, and counter terrorism. High level UK/Libya contact continues. Following a visit to Libya by my right hon. Friend the then Home Secretary (Mr. Charles Clarke) in February, I visited Libya from 25 to 27 June and met the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Ministers for Justice, Employment, and European Affairs. My noble Friend the right hon. Lord Kinnock visited Tripoli on 18 to 20 September and opened a new British Council centre.
	The UK wants to see relations between the EU and Libya develop. One process through which this could happen is the Euro-Mediterranean (Euro-Med) partnership, in which Libya has observer status. If Libya decided that it wanted to join as a full member, negotiations on a bilateral association agreement would follow. Libya's membership of the Euro-Med partnership would be dependent on Libya accepting the Barcelona acquis.
	There are ongoing technical contacts between the EU and Libya. The further development of EU/Libya relations would be encouraged by resolution of the case of the Bulgarian and Palestinian medical workers imprisoned in Libya. General Affairs and External Relations Council Conclusions of 2004 expressed grave concern over the plight of the medics and insisted that Libya resolves remaining EU concerns, notably the medics' case.

Lord's Resistance Army

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the International Criminal Court warrants served on the leaders of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA); and whether she supports UN-sponsored meetings with LRA leaders.

Ian McCartney: The UK is a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC). We believe it is imperative to tackle impunity to deter others taking up arms and terrorising civilians. The ICC warrants themselves are a matter of international justice on which the ICC leads.
	The UK strongly encourages the Government of Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) to continue their current efforts to reach a sustainable peace agreement which provides both peace and justice to the people of northern Uganda. A solution needs to be found which is compatible with wishes and needs of the local communities and the Rome Statute of the ICC.
	The Rome Statute offers no bar to judicial and mediation processes running on parallel tracks. Jan Egeland's, UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, recent visit to meet LRA commanders provided a welcome opportunity to call on the LRA to fully commit to the peace process and release all those they have abducted. Thus far they are not fully committed and have released no abductees.

Maldives

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the progress towards a new constitution for the Maldives; and what steps the UK Government is taking to encourage the government of the Maldives to expedite completion of the constitution with a view to holding free and fair elections.

Ian McCartney: Following President Gayoom's speech in June 2004 outlining his aspirations for democratic reform, the Special Majlis (Constitutional Assembly) was established. Political parties were legalised for the first time in June 2005. We understand there are now at least three registered political parties. In March this year President Gayoom launched the Roadmap for the Agenda Reform. However, the process of bringing modern democracy to Maldives has been lethargic and subject to setbacks. After two years, the Special Majlis has made little progress on a new constitution.
	This summer in talks between the Maldivian Government and the Maldivian Democratic Party, which were hosted by the British high commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, there were encouraging signs of progress. In September, my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Dr. Howells), made a statement calling on the Maldivian Government and all political parties to work constructively both together and with the people of the Maldives to step up the pace of the democratic reforms. It is disappointing that the main stakeholders now seem to be drawing back from the progress they had made together. We continue to underline directly to stakeholders the need for open discussions among all political parties on the implementation of the democratisation process and on the promotion of democracy in the Maldives. We welcome and support the efforts of the EU, and other individual partners within it, in doing the same.

Maldives

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make representations to the Maldives government requesting reasonable behaviour by its police force against peaceful protestors.

Ian McCartney: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not made representations to the Maldivian Government on this issue. The British high commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives hasin recent weeks been active in making direct representations to Maldivian political leaders on all sides. He has urged them to act with restraint and not to take any steps that might inhibit the promotion of democracy in Maldives. He has underlined the need to resume discussions on implementing democratic reforms.

Middle East

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the prospects for maintenance of the UN-led ceasefire in Southern Lebanon after the recent conflict between Israel and Lebanon.

Kim Howells: The cessation of hostilities has continued to hold and Israeli troops have completed their withdrawal from Lebanon, except for the divided town of Ghajar. 10,000 Lebanese armed forces are now deployed in the south for the first time in many years and there is effective coordination between them, the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Israel Defence Force. On the ground there are currently 8,000 soldiers deployed in UNIFIL. There has been good progress too on reconstruction and recovery work in which the UK has played a significant part.

Montenegro

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on bilateral relations with Montenegro.

Geoff Hoon: On 17 November the Foreign and Commonwealth Office announced that Mr. John Dyson MVO would become the resident ambassador to Montenegro, replacing Mr. David Gowan CMG, who has been non-resident ambassador to Montenegro since its independence in June 2006. One of Ambassador Dyson's first tasks will be to upgrade the British Office in Podgorica to an embassy. He will also continue to reiterate the UK's support for Montenegro's aspirations to join the EU and NATO. Montenegro has announced its intention to open an embassy in London as soon as is practicable. I visited Podgorica on 8 November and met with the Prime Minister, President and Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Non-proliferation Treaty

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans she has for the implementation of Article 6 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The UK is committed to the full implementation of all articles in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The UK has a good record in fulfilling its disarmament obligations under Article VI and is widely recognised as the most forward leaning nuclear-weapons state in this regard. We will continue to press for multilateral negotiations towards mutual, balanced and reliable reductions in nuclear weapons.

Romania/Bulgaria (Labour Market Access)

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of recent reports that the Europe Minister told Bulgarian observers in the European Parliament on 15th November that UK restrictions on labour market access for Romanians and Bulgarians may be ended after one year.

Geoff Hoon: In discussions with Bulgarian (and Romanian) observers at the European Parliament, I made reference to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 24 October 2006,  Official Report, columns 82-84WS, which announced transitional arrangements on labour market access in the UK for Romanian and Bulgarian workers. The Home Secretary said that the new arrangements will be reviewed within 12 months and the Government's proposed new Migration Advisory Committee will assist in this process taking account of the needs of our labour market, the impact of the A8 accession and the positions adopted by other EU countries.

Russia

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the Russian Government on the killing of journalists.

Geoff Hoon: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had discussions on the killing of journalists with the Russian Government. EU leaders discussed their concerns about the murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, with President Putin at the informal heads of EU states meeting in Lahti, on 20 October. Officials raised our concerns about the killing of Anna Politkovskaya with the chair of the Civil Society Institutions and Human Rights Council under the President of the Russian Federation, on18 October. Anna Politkovskaya's murder and wider freedom of expression concerns were discussed with the Russian authorities at the EU-Russia human rights consultations held in Brussels on 8 November 2006.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary condemned the murder of Anna Politkovskaya at the launch of the 2006 Annual Report on Human Rights on 12 October. I issued a statement of condemnation about her murder on 9 October, expressing sympathy to her friends and family and calling for the Russian authorities to bring her killers to justice. The full text of the statement is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website at:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1159197496301%20&year-2006&month-2006-10-01&date-2006-10-09.
	We regularly discuss the progress of democratic reforms and human rights in Russia with the Russian authorities, including freedom of the media. The 2006 Annual Report on Human Rights sets out some of our major concerns about human rights, democracy and rule of law in Russia. It details a number of occasions when FCO Ministers have raised these issues with the Russian Government over the last 12 months. The report is available on the FCO website at:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1159199142618%20&year=2006&month=2006-10-01&date=2006-10-12.

Russia/Georgia

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans she has to discuss Russo-Georgian relations with her Russian counterpart.

Geoff Hoon: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no immediate plans to hold discussions with her Russian counterpart, but I will be discussing my recent visit to the South Caucasus region, including Georgia, with the Russian Ambassador at the end of this month.
	We maintain regular dialogue with the Russian and Georgian authorities at all levels in which we express our hope they will take early action to reduce tensions and that Russia will lift their economic measures against Georgia.

Sudan

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what visa arrangements have been granted by the UK to Salah Gosh, head of the Sudanese National Intelligence Service, over the last 12 months; and on what dates he has been admitted to the UK.

Ian McCartney: Over the past 12 months General Salah Abdallah (also known as Al Ghosh), Head of Sudanese Intelligence/Security Service, has been granted two single entry visas to the UK. He travelled to the UK in March and August 2006.
	On both occasions General Salah came to the UK for urgent medical treatment. While he was here he discussed Darfur with UK officials. He is an influential member of the Sudanese Government and it therefore makes sense to raise matters of concern with him. At present he is not subject to any UN or EU sanctions or travel restrictions.

Trident

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make it her policy to offer not to replace the Trident nuclear weapons system in return for the Government of  (a) North Korea and  (b) Iran discontinuing their nuclear weapons programmes; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: Iran and North Korea signed up tothe Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as non-nuclear weapon states. Development of nuclear weapons programmes would be in direct contravention of their legal obligations under the NPT not to acquire or seek to acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. We continue to call on them to respect these obligations and abandon their weapons programmes. In contrast, the UK is recognised under the NPT as a nuclear weapon state. Ministers are considering the issues involved in the question of whether or not to replace the Trident system but final decisions have yet to be taken.

Uzbekistan

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why EU sanctionsagainst Uzbekistan were omitted from the list of sanctions regimes in the written ministerial statement of 6 November 2006,  Official Report, columns 27-8WS, on sanctions regimes.

Ian McCartney: We regret that Uzbekistan was inadvertently omitted from the written ministerial statement issued by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Middle East (Dr. Howells) on 6 November 2006,  Official Report, columns 27-28WS. At the time the statement was submitted the EU's sanctions against Uzbekistan were under review. Subsequently, the EU agreed to extend the arms embargo for a further12 months and the visa ban for a further six months, and to review these measures in three months' time. A revised written ministerial statement reflecting UK implementation of the Uzbekistan sanctions was issued on 8 November 2006,  Official Report, column 43WS.

Ministerial Travel

Tim Loughton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost was of his recent visit to Malaysia; what the name was of each official who accompanied him; and in what category of travel class he and his delegation travelled.

John Prescott: Details of the cost of overseas travel undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more is published annually. Information for 2005-06 was published on Monday24 July 2006. Copies of the lists are available in the Library for the reference of Members. Information for 2006-07 will be published as soon as it is ready after the end of the financial year.
	All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the "Ministerial Code" and "Travel by Ministers", copies of which are available in the Library for the reference of Members. All official travel is undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the "Civil Service Management Code", a copy of which is also available in the Library for the reference of Members. It is not Government practice to name individual civil servants.

Academically Gifted Children

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the Government's policy is on meeting the educational needs of the most academically gifted children in Northern Ireland.

Maria Eagle: All schools seek to meet the needs of all their pupils, including challenging and stretching the most able, and may obtain assistance from statutory/voluntary organisations that offer specific support for talented and gifted children.
	The extended schools programme provides an opportunity to farther enhance provision for pupils.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many  (a) interim and  (b) full antisocial behaviour orders have been obtained by agencies in Northern Ireland in each district council area since inception.

David Hanson: The relevant authorities have notified the Northern Ireland Office of 29 antisocial behaviour orders being granted in Northern Ireland.
	
		
			  Number of orders 
			  Area  Interim  Full 
			 Ards Borough Council 1 — 
			 Ballymena Borough Council 2 7 
			 Belfast City Council 3 1 
			 Coleraine Borough Council 2 — 
			 Craigavon Borough Council — 1 
			 Derry City Council 2 — 
			 Dungannon District Council — 1 
			 Larne District Council — 3 
			 Magherafelt District Council — 1 
			 Newry and Mourne City Council — 1 
			 Newtownabbey Borough Council 1 1 
			 North Down Borough Council — 2

Education and Skills Authority

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the expenditure of the Education and Skills Authority in its first 12 months of operation; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The Education and Skills Authority is planned to come into operation from 1 April 2008. Work is continuing on the development of the roles, responsibilities and functions of the ESA and the budget will be determined, in due course, in light of decisions on these matters and of the outcome of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review.

Further Education

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funds were allocated to each of the higher and further education colleges in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is as follows
	
		
			  DEL grants and education contracts per audited accounts 
			  £000 
			   Year ended 31 July: 
			  College  2001  2002  2003  2004 ( 1) 2005 
			 Armagh 4,457 4,619 5,787 6,472 6,988 
			 BIFHE 29,991 30,057 36,805 36,328 39,588 
			 Castlereagh 5,243 5,098 7,043 7,202 6,891 
			 Causeway 5,489 5,923 5,838 7,057 7,290 
			 East Antrim 8,076 8,604 9,264 9,513 9,353 
			 East Down 6,261 6,582 7,217 7,020 8,076 
			 East Tyrone 5,143 5,255 5,444 5,997 7,320 
			 Fermanagh 6,061 6,285 7,541 8,423 0 
			 Limavady 4,791 4,940 5,267 6,458 6,639 
			 Lisburn 5,735 7,007 7,763 7,352 7,396 
			 Newry and Kilkeel 9,401 10,326 12,048 12,909 13,833 
			 NI Hotel and Catering College 1,824 1,975 (2)— (2)— (2)— 
			 North Down 10,077 11,359 12,868 13,854 14,321 
			 North East 12,074 12,550 12,930 13,641 14,166 
			 North West 18,888 21,735 23,622 23,995 24,051 
			 Omagh 5,204 5,509 5,988 6,129 6,219 
			 Upper Bann 8,589 8,724 9,351 10,701 10,421 
			 Total 147,304 156,548 174,776 183,051 182,552 
			 (1) The analysis for the year ended 31 July 2005 represents 15 colleges only, as the accounts for Fermanagh College are not yet finalised. (1) The Hotel and Catering College was amalgamated with the University of Ulster in 2002 and therefore not included in the overall FE funding totals from 2002-03 onwards. 
		
	
	The academic year for Further Education colleges in Northern Ireland runs from 1 August to 31 July and the last full academic year for which audited accounts are available is the year ended 31 July 2005. Detailed in the table is the further education DEL grant and education contracts for each of the colleges over the last five years and includes statutory and non-statutory provision.

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to approve the award of a special medal to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service to recognise their contribution to protecting the public during the troubles.

Peter Hain: Her Majesty the Queen is advised by the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals on all matters to do with honours and medals. My Department has no plans to recommend the introduction of such a medal to the Committee.

Republic of Ireland (Tax Rates)

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effect on the Northern Irish economy of tax rates in the Republic of Ireland.

David Hanson: Northern Ireland has tax parity with the rest of the UK and tax is a reserved matter for the Chancellor to determine. No specific Government study has been undertaken into the impact on the Northern Irish economy of tax rates in the Republic of Ireland.

School Pupils

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the Government's policy is on helping schools in Northern Ireland cope with the growth in the number of pupils whose first language is not English.

Maria Eagle: The Department of Education's policy for children whose first language is not English orwho have significant difficulty with English will be completed and issued for full consultation inDecember 2006.
	The total allocation, for English as an additional language provision in 2006-07, is £3.4 million for some 2,700 children identified as having significant difficulty with English as an additional language. DE has given the five Education and Library Boards earmarked funding of £834,000 for 2006-07 and schools just over £2.5 million through the Common Funding Formula. In addition, £100,000 has been allocated for interpreting and translation services through the Children and Young People's Funding Package to commence establishing access to interpreting services and provide key documents in various languages for teachers, EAL pupils and their parents.

Suspended Sentences

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of convicted criminals given custodial sentences in  (a) magistrates and  (b) Crown courts in Northern Ireland have had their sentences suspended in each of the last 12 months.

David Hanson: Custodial and suspended sentences are separate and mutually exclusive disposal categories. Table 1 provides the total number of convicted criminals, the number and percentage of those convicted who were given a custodial sentence and the number and percentage given a suspended sentence at the Crown court for each calendar month. Table 2 provides data corresponding to magistrates courts.
	Figures are provided for 2004, the most up-to-date available at present.
	It should be noted that data are collated on the principal offence rule, thus only the most serious offence with which an offender is charged is included.
	
		
			  Table 1: Total number of convictions, number and percentage given a custodial sentence and number and percentage given a suspended sentence at the Crown court by month—2004 
			   Crown court 
			   Total number convicted  Number given custodial sentence  Percentage of total number convicted given custodial sentence  Number given suspended sentence  Percentage of total number convicted given suspended sentence 
			 January 222 88 40 26 12 
			 February 119 57 48 37 31 
			 March 128 62 48 39 30 
			 April 86 39 45 31 36 
			 May 96 47 49 28 29 
			 June 163 96 59 40 25 
			 July 55 32 58 12 22 
			 August 27 14 52 7 26 
			 September 129 77 60 31 24 
			 October 136 69 51 45 33 
			 November 107 44 41 31 29 
			 December 26 13 50 7 27 
			 Total 1,294 638 49 334 26 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Total number of convictions, number and percentage given a custodial sentence and number and percentage given a suspended sentence at the magistrates court by month—2004 
			   Magistrates court 
			   Total number convicted  Number given custodial sentence  Percentage of total number convicted given custodial sentence  Number given suspended sentence  Percentage of total number convicted given suspended sentence 
			 January 2,228 125 6 143 6 
			 February 2,176 146 7 149 7 
			 March 2,427 199 8 163 7 
			 April 2,280 110 5 167 7 
			 May 2,222 142 6 165 7 
			 June 2,507 162 6 171 7 
			 July 2,083 114 5 103 5 
			 August 2,250 89 4 127 6 
			 September 2,376 144 6 162 7 
			 October 2,218 152 7 172 8 
			 November 2,214 150 7 183 8 
			 December 1,650 81 5 136 8 
			 Total 26,631 1,614 6 1,841 7

Teacher Training

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many students were enrolled on teacher-training courses in Northern Ireland in  (a) 2003-04,  (b) 2004-05 and  (c) 2005-06; how many students withdrew from such courses (i) temporarily and (ii) permanently in each year, broken down by age; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: In 2003-04, 2,015 students were enrolled on initial teacher training courses at Northern Ireland higher education institutions. The equivalent figure for 2004-05 was 2,034. Data for the 2005-06 academic year are not available.
	The table gives details of the number of students who withdrew from these courses, broken down by age. It is not possible to determine from the data collected whether students who withdraw do so on a temporary or permanent basis.
	
		
			  Age  2003-04  2004-05 
			 20 years and under 20 16 
			 21 to 24 years inclusive 8 12 
			 25 years and over 11 5 
			 Total 39 33 
			  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency

Care Home Policy Guidelines

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department is taking to ensure consistency of interpretation of care home policy guidelines by local authorities; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: It is for the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), as the Regulator, to inspect all care homes in England, whether in the private, voluntary or local authority sectors, to ensure they are compliant with the Care Homes Regulations 2001. In doing so, CSCI will have regard to national minimum standards, which apply across the country and which are intended to ensure consistency in the quality of services.
	CSCI also inspects local authority social services departments to judge how well they are running and commissioning social care services for adults and children. This and other information forms part of the overall star rating judgment on councils CSCI publishes once each year. Ratings can be viewed on the CSCI website at:
	www.csci.org.uk/care_professionals/councils/star_ratings.aspx.

Delayed Discharges

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many delayed discharges there were of people aged 75 years and over in each  (a) NHS region and  (b) health authority in each quarter from Q1 2005-06 to Q1 2006-07.

Ivan Lewis: Information on delayed discharges is collected by strategic health authority. The information is in the table.
	
		
			  Number of patients over 75-years-old occupying an acute hospital bed with delayed discharge 
			   Q1  Q2  Q3  Q4  Q1 
			  Strategic health authority  2005-06  2005-06  2005-06  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 95 90 88 99 96 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 53 45 66 65 74 
			 Essex 46 73 60 41 49 
			 North West London 49 45 35 31 29 
			 North Central London 30 28 20 38 34 
			 North East London 43 45 46 42 36 
			 South East London 29 24 23 28 29 
			 South West London 54 74 45 49 46 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 25 11 11 19 18 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley 11 7 3 6 18 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire 44 37 47 41 39 
			 West Yorkshire 52 43 46 34 54 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire 29 52 49 55 68 
			 Greater Manchester 56 59 47 55 47 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside 88 77 64 64 82 
			 Thames Valley 63 76 74 70 78 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 89 75 83 58 91 
			 Kent and Medway 62 58 57 75 100 
			 Surrey and Sussex 204 168 137 120 202 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 81 84 97 121 95 
			 South West Peninsula 66 30 57 51 68 
			 Dorset and Somerset 88 76 94 70 76 
			 South Yorkshire 58 39 32 45 46 
			 Trent 67 66 51 68 60 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland 86 60 66 59 51 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire 34 54 66 70 68 
			 Birmingham and the Black Country 150 174 125 98 96 
			 West Midlands South 39 29 31 32 43

Infant Formula Milk

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health why goat milk proteins may not be used in infant formula milk; and what assessment she has made of the effects of goat milk proteins on the health of young babies.

Caroline Flint: The sources of protein permitted for use in the manufacture of infant formula and follow-on formula are restricted to cows milk or soya protein by European Union wide legislation.
	It is for the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to assess the safety and efficacy of sources of protein for use in infant formula. In early 2006, EFSA concluded that there are insufficient data to establish the suitability of goats milk protein as a protein source in infant formula. As a result, the Department does not recommend the use of goats milk protein in foods used for infant nutrition purposes.

Neurology/Epilepsy

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether the 100 MRI scanners and 200 CT scanners identified as necessary in the Department of Health's Government action plan on epilepsy services (2003) have been procured;
	(2)  what estimate she has made of the proportion of people being treated for epilepsy who are not being treated by a specialist;
	(3)  what the misdiagnosis rate is for epilepsy;
	(4)  what targets her Department has set relating to  (a) long-term monitoring,  (b) reduction of mortality,  (c) severe morbidity and  (d) diagnostic accuracy for epilepsy.

Ivan Lewis: The Department has not set targets for long-term monitoring, reduction in mortality, severe morbidity or diagnostic accuracy for epilepsy. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence published, in October 2004, a clinical guideline for the diagnosis and management of epilepsies in adults and children in primary and secondary care. This guideline makes recommendations for treatment and care provided by general practitioners and by specialists. Local health bodies should review their existing practice for epilepsy to implement these recommendations.
	Information on the proportion of those being treated for epilepsy who are not being treated by a specialist is not collected.
	Information on the misdiagnosis rate for epilepsy is not collected.
	Since the start of 2003 the national health service has purchased 157 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners and 131 computerised axial tomography (CT) scanners.

Neurology/Epilepsy

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many  (a) specialist epileptic care nurses and  (b) agency staff who deal with epilepsy are employed in (i) Greater London, broken down by London borough, and (ii) England;
	(2)  which primary care trusts  (a) have and  (b) do not have equipment that can accurately assess different types of epilepsy in (i) Greater London, broken down by London borough, and (ii) England.

Ivan Lewis: Information is not collected centrally on the number of specialist epilepsy care nurses, or agency staff, employed in the national health service.
	Nurse specialist roles have been developed to address the unmet care needs for people with a variety of neurological conditions, including epilepsy. Specialist epilepsy nurses provide an additional clinical resource and have spearheaded the development of nurse led and fast access clinics, monitoring treatment regimes and seizure control, support and information on aspects of medication and side effects and lifestyle precautions.
	Specialist epilepsy nurse posts were developed through the British Epilepsy Association, now Epilepsy Action, in association with the Wellcome Foundation. There are a number of funding mechanisms supporting their development including the voluntary sector, pharmaceutical industry and the NHS.
	Information on the type of equipment, used for the diagnosis of epilepsy, owned by each trust is not collected centrally.

Prescription Charges

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will introduce free NHS prescriptions for higher education students.

Andy Burnham: The Government announced a review of prescription charges on 17 October 2006 in response to the Health Select Committee's report on national health service charges. The review will consider changes to prescription charge exemptionson the basis that these are cost-neutral for the NHS.

Rheumatology Services

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which primary care trusts do not have a rheumatology multi-disciplinary team for assessing patients.

Ivan Lewis: This information is not available centrally.
	The musculoskeletal services framework is supporting improvements in the care offered to people with musculoskeletal disorders. The development of multidisciplinary clinical assessment and treatment services are central to the Framework's delivery, identifying those who can benefit from rapid help locally and those who will need hospital referral.

Waiting Times

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting time is for patients for dynamic psychotherapy in the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not held centrally.
	The Government are committed to improving mental health services and this is why we support increasing the availability of evidence based psychological therapies through our programme Increasing Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT), which began in May 2006. We made improving the availability of psychological therapies a manifesto commitment in 2005, and it was a commitment we also made in the Our Health, our care, our say White Paper. The need to increase access to psychological therapies was also highlighted by Professor Louis Appleby, the national director for mental health, in his 2004 report on the progress made in implementing the national service framework for mental health.
	IAPT will provide a more effective and timely access to psychological therapies for people with mild to moderate mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, and by increasing the choice of treatments available to mental health service users.

Waiting Times

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting time is for  (a) all minor surgery and  (b) circumcision at the University Hospitals of Leicester Trust.

Andy Burnham: Waiting times data at procedure level is not available in the format requested. However, waiting times for circumcision at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust is in the following table.
	
		
			  Count of finished admissions and median time waited for circumcisions at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, 2004-05 
			   Number/days 
			 Finished admission episodes (number) 320 
			 Median time waited (days) 105 
			  Notes: 1.  Finished admission episodes: A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. 2.  Main operation: The main operation is the first recorded operation in the HES data set and is usually the most resource intensive procedure performed during the episode. It is appropriate to use main operation when looking at admission details, e.g. time waited, but the figures for "all operations count of episodes" give a more complete count of episodes with an operation. 3.  Time waited (days): Time waited statistics from Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have been on the waiting list. Also, HES calculates the time waited as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension. 4.  Ungrossed data: Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed). 5.  Data quality: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are compiled from data sent by over 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. The Health and Social Care Information Centre liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.  Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Information Centre for Health and Social Care